Chapter Six

Stephanie had finally left the Levesque home. She had exchanged the memories of her husband and child for the memories of her youth. Greenwich hadn't changed a bit since her younger days living at home with her older brother and parents. The cozy southernmost town in New England was still unbelievably beautiful.

Stephanie awoke in the queen sized bed of her youth. She slowly sat up and looked around the room. The walls were decked out with posters and pictures of her teenaged years. A framed picture of the 1995 Cardinal Cheerleaders hung on the wall. New Kids on The Block posters on either side. Had this much time past since her teenaged years? Now in her thirties, Stephanie had almost forgotten about her high school days. The days of her care free innocence.

"Good morning, Steph."

Linda McMahon stood in the entrance to her daughter's room. Her daughter had just arrived last night and Linda was determined to make Steph's visit as pleasant has possible. Hopefully, Stephanie would be able to escape the living hell that was her life for the past two months so that she would have a chance to slowly rebuild her life.

"Morning, Mom." Steph replied as she swung her legs to the side of the bed. She stood and shuffled over to the cheerleading squad picture.

"Remember those days, Stephy?" Linda asked with a smile, now standing next to her.

"I had so much fun…Me, Jessica, and Amanda, we had a blast." Stephanie muttered, as if she were thinking to herself aloud.

"Well, get dressed, we'll go down to Greenwich Avenue, have some breakfast and shop."

Stephanie nodded with a smile before Linda left the room. Steph sighed, going into her suitcase that sat at the foot of the bed. Greenwich Avenue…The place for the best restaurants and boutiques that Greenwich has to offer. Stephanie had fond memories of mother-daughter outings that took place on that very street.

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"This place is just like I remembered!" Stephanie exclaimed, placing a beige cloth napkin in her lap.

Versailles was a French restaurant that the McMahon family had dined at regularly. It was known for its outstanding pastries and cakes. A homemade breakfast was just what Stephanie needed.

"Now that Shane and Marissa moved back home, we come here for breakfast every Sunday." Linda explained with a smile as she accepted her breakfast plate from the waiter.

"How are my nephews?"

"Declan and Kenny? Oh they're precious. Declan reminds me so much of Shane. That little Kenny keeps Marissa busy. You know, typical little two year old." Linda remarked.

"Like my little Adriana…." Steph muttered looking away from her mother's gaze.

Stephanie's enjoyment of her homecoming was short lived. Her thoughts drifted to her little girl. Adriana was only four months younger than her cousin Kennedy Jesse. Stephanie was brought out of her day dream by the sound of her cell phone.

"Hello?" Stephanie said into the cell after opening it.

"Hey Steph, it's Kurt. How are you?"

"Oh hi Kurt. I'm good. I just got into Greenwich last night. Mom and I are out having breakfast. How are you?"

"I'm okay. You sound like you're doing great. I just called to check on you and to make sure you got into Connecticut okay."

"Well that was very sweet of you." Stephanie said smiling at her mom.

"Okay, well, if there's anything you ever need, don't hesitate to call me, okay?"

"All right…Thanks for the call, Kurt….bye."

Stephanie flipped her cell phone closed and returned it to her purse. She looked up at her mother who was smiling at her.

"What?" Stephanie said before taking a sip of her orange juice.

"Isn't that so nice of Kurt Angle to give you a call…What did he want?" Linda asked curiously before taking a bite of food.

"Just to see how I was doing. He's a great friend." Steph replied.

Linda raised her eyebrows and snickered after swallowing a mouthful of food.

"No Mom, it's not like that. Kurt and I are just great friends. We've both helped each other out through difficult times. Besides, how can you even think I'd be interested in another man? I still consider myself a married woman." Stephanie stated, grabbing hold of her husband's wedding band that was still around her neck on a gold chain.

"I didn't say anything, Stephanie." Linda said with a grin as she shook her head slightly.

"Well, I know what you're thinking…Don't. Even though Paul's been gone for two months, I'm still his wife."

"Stephanie, you know I don't expect you to fall head over heels in love with another man only months after your husband's passing." Linda said placing her hand over Stephanie's. She had made her daughter upset.

"Mom, I don't think I'll ever love again…" Stephanie said as a single tear formed in her eye and streamed down her face.

"Never say never, sweetheart." Linda whispered as she handed her daughter a tissue.

Stephanie quickly dried her eyes. She was tired of crying. In the past two months, she had cried enough tears to last her a life time. Besides, no matter how many tears she shed, they would not bring Paul or her baby girl back.

"I'm finished. I can't eat anymore." Stephanie said, setting her napkin on the table next to the plate.

After they finished at Versailles, Linda and Stephanie started hitting the boutiques. Stephanie pointed to Betteridge Jewelry and Linda followed her into the store. The store was very well known and prominent in Greenwich since 1897. Stephanie, her brother, and father had frequented the jewelry store to buy things for Linda. She had fond memories helping her father pick out exquisite necklaces, earrings, and rings from the glass display cases.

"Oooo, Steph, look at this! It's so beautiful." Linda exclaimed her finger on one of the display cases.

"Oh that's so pretty." Steph remarked looking at the necklace her mother was pointing at.

The necklace was solid gold with precious gems embedded in the necklace; each gem cut differently. The rubies, sapphires, and emeralds all shimmered in the show room spotlight.

"Can I help you?" A jeweler asked.

"Yes, I'd like to try on this necklace." Steph replied pointing.

"Oh Stephanie, it looks divine on you." Linda commented as she watched her daughter look at herself in the mirror with the necklace on.

Steph took off the necklace and asked the jeweler the purchasing price.

"Well, are you going to get it?" Linda asked.

"Yeah, why not, we all need to treat ourselves every once in a while." Steph said handing the necklace and then her credit card to the jeweler.

After the transaction was made, they left Betteridge. It was a beautiful spring day in Greenwich Connecticut. The trees fresh green leaves danced in the wind across the street in one of the many parks. Stephanie inhaled deep; filling her lungs with the fresh New England air. She was home.